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New cemetery plans move forward

Ruidoso's new municipal cemetery on Gavilan Canyon Road will feature an entrance gate and a memorial garden under a proposed layout that will undergo review by the village Planning and Zoning Commission.

Members of the village Cemetery Board Wednesday reviewed cemetery rules and fees, and outlined the development process for the 22-acre tract donated anonymously for use as a cemetery. They're hoping for the involvement of individuals, groups and businesses to help create an inviting atmosphere for families as they bid farewell to a loved one or come to visit a gravesite in future years.

Parks and Recreation Director Debbie Jo Almager, who also oversees the cemetery, said having the land donated means the village didn't have to incur a major debt burden, and fees collected for the sales of plots can be used for development, maintenance and for a fund to cover future care. Many area families, cemetery board members and Danny Sisson of La Grone Funeral Chapel pushed for the past eight years for a new cemetery in town as the existing Forest Lawn Cemetery on Mechem Drive ran out of space. They argued that people who live in the mountains want to be buried in the same environment and community.

Almager said the 10 acres with appropriate soil in the tract would allow the creation of about 2,300 traditional plots, with 10 percent already eliminated because of trees. The village Forestry Department secured a grant to ensure the tract complies with village forest management rules.

"We do have to take (a preliminary and final plat) to Planning and Zoning. It technically is a subdivision, because we are selling individual plots," Almager explained.

Almager met with Village Building Official Shawn Fort Thursday to discuss placing the item on the March planning agenda.

Essential features

"The other requirement that was part of the acceptance of this property was that a nice gate entrance be installed and we will have to come up with funding for that," Almager said during the Wednesday meeting. "And there is a beautiful juniper tree, huge, probably 100 years or older. Some of the boulders on top of the mountain fell and landed right next to it and it's a beautiful setting and that is one thing (the donor) wants to make sure that area is preserved. Buzz (Bizzell with Parks and Recreation) was mentioning it would be nice if we could clean it up and then sell memorial benches around it. That's all something to work on."

Austin noted that the initial proposed layout accommodated a memorial park area or meditation garden.

"Keep Ruidoso Beautiful (a village committee) might come in and do some landscaping, flowers and things," Bizzell said.

With 12 additional acres not usable for traditional plots, a comfortable greenbelt buffer can be created or space for other options such as cremation urns or mausoleums, Austin said.

The donor also wants a gate with large columns at the entrance, Almager said. "I think it's all do-able, but now comes the funding part of it. This was to be set up as a (self-supporting) enterprise fund. All the money from the sales from the plots will go back into the cemetery. Of course, we will need some seed money ahead of time, but that can be paid back. Whatever (plot) price we end up with we would take to council for adoption."

Bizzell said she's already received inquiries about plots from several individuals and families. One family wants to buy three, Almager said. Austin suggested a discount for multiple plot purchases as an incentive to generate some early money for development.

"There also are a lot of people out there who would give donations for gates and fencing," said member Dewayne Goar.

Almager said a resident several years ago wanted to purchase an unusable strip at the back of the Forest Lawn Cemetery. "We know the village has to get appraisal value, but maybe we could sell it and that money could be used to start these improvements," she said.

"I liked Dewayne's idea," Austin said. "These civic organizations Sertoma and Optimist, Rotary and Lions club. It might be nice to send letters or go talk to them to create a little excitement. They might like to contribute to that garden we want to set up, to the gates. I don't have an issue with a little plaque (acknowledging a donation or contributed work)."

Goar said some builders also might chip in labor.

Cremations

As to handling cremations, Austin said the best approach would be to call other cemeteries. "I think it is getting to be more and more popular to do cremations because it cheaper," she said. "It's a cost thing and the economy is going to drive it."

"The whole point is to serve the public, provide what they need," Austin said. "I think there always will be some people to whom traditional burial is very important."

Most religions now allow cremation as an accepted option, members agreed. Almager said one decisions to be tackled is how to begin selling the plots, by section or from the back. She also suggested that borders not be allowed at gravesites, because of the associated difficulty in mowing and maintenance. The rule was in place for the newer section of Forest Lawn, but it was difficult to enforce, because, "everyone saw them in the old section. With a new a cemetery, it would be so much easier. If they put curbing in there, it cracks and then we have to come back in and fix it."

Hinz asked if headstone would be restricted to flat installations or could be raised.

"That's one of the things we need to determine," Almager said. Austin proposed limiting the size of a headstone to ensure some uniformity. Hinz said in some older cemeteries, families installed statues on large marble bases. Bizzell said many families still will want to put up large memorials, but Austin said with a new cemetery, size rules could be evoked. Almager said maintenance is complicated when families plant their own flowers or add objects to a gravesite. Austin said the rules could include a disclaimer that the village is not responsible if something is added and then damaged. She pointed out that even animals would run off with artificial flowers and other items, especially in the spring when it is dry and they're looking for blooms.

"The owner did request that it be maintained to a higher standard," Almager said of the person who donated the land.

Family traditions

Goar said he would wait to see the final proposal, "But families have different ways of memorializing people and friends. That was part of the problem I had. Where I ended up having to go (for a family burial), because we didn't have anything in Ruidoso. They restricted me and what I'm allowed to do. I don't want to restrict others on what they may want to do to memorialize, because that was something that stuck in my craw."

Board member Frankie Jarrell with First Christian Church said a difference also exists between a private church memorial garden and a public cemetery.

"We need to be open to a lot of traditions," she said. "This will be a public cemetery. We have to be really cognizant of what matters to people and think about it before we just jump in and say we don't want this."

"Just consider the maintenance of it and trying to open up the graves," Almager emphasized.

Austin said, "I think we can find a balance between sensitivity and the aesthetics." The rules point out months when mowing is not needed and displays could be placed, she said. Developing a meditation or memorial garden with benches also would discourage benches and other disruptive displays, she said.

Fortunately with the village's new Incode financial software, a module for historical records of ownership can be maintained and Almager said she is waiting for a quote. Data on the old cemetery could be added later. That also would make it easier to guide families to a gravesite. Austin said a website could be developed where visitors could download a map to pinpoint a gravesite.

She suggested members review the cemetery rules and make notations for discussion at the next board meeting.

Board members also adopted a new public meeting notice resolution to reflect that they will be meeting monthly, not quarterly, because of the demands of the cemetery development.

They will meet at 11:30 a.m., the third Wednesday of each month in village hall.